Clean, detailed sound.

Power on/off on the remote would be nice.

I was floored the first time I fired up this amp. I had been powering my system with an NAD 3240PE for the past 13 years and I thought I was happy with the sound. I upgraded to the C340 because I needed more inputs and I wanted the convenience of a remote. I was totally unprepared for the vast improvement in detail in the mid-range and upper frequencies. It's like I have a new music collection now because I'm having a blast going back through old stuff and hearing sounds that I never heard before.

There is no better sounding integrated amp in this price range.

Similar Products Used:

NAD 3240PE

musical sounding, a loud 50 watts

For 50 watts, this sure plays loud. My old 15 Yamaha receiver was rated at 90 watts, but sounded a bit harsh with some CDs. The C340 is more musical and non tiring.

The only thing I have connected is the NAD 522.

By the way, I see some of the NAD C340 users have a NAD 522 CD player. I have the following issues with the NAD 522. If you have feedback, send them to brucewayne100@hotmail.com

Sometimes the CD door closes by itself when you are putting in a CD. This happens once in a while and when I haven't properly placed the CD into the drawer, it still closes the door.

The other thing I am experiencing is that the 522 seems to have trouble playing CD-Rs. There are pops/clicks in the CD-R. The same CD-R plays fine on my 15 year Yamaha CD player. Store bought CDs seem okay. I have tried different brands of CD-Rs, burned at 1x and 2x, but I can't get the NAD 522 to read the CD-R cleanly without the odd pop/click.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha 15 year old receiver

Tight Bass, Clean Sound

Doesn't breathe well (no much air)

I ordered the C340 on the strengths I read on this site. I wanted to replace my six-year-old Harmon Kardon HK6600 integrated amplifier with something better. Unfortunately, the C340 didn't quite do it. It does have some admiral strengths, in particular the tight controlled bass and a nice control overall. However, I listened to many very familiar CDs and found that this amplifier did not excite me. I really wanted to like and keep this amp but ultimately I could not.

The main problems I found was that it seems to lack 'air' around instruments and dynamic extension. I tried this amp with two different pair of speakers and with headphones. Ultimately, aside from the bass and control I never really got involved or excited. I switched back to my HK6600 and rediscovered the 'ambiance' of my recordings. Now, my HK is not perfect for sure. Notably, it has some grain that I'd like to get rid of. And the bass is nice but not as tight or controlled as the C340. But, on the whole it sounded more involving then the NAD C340.

I may still replace my Harmon Kardon soon. I am considering trying two of the Cambridge Audio amps, the A3i and the A500. I've read that they are more dynamic yet still smooth. This is what I am after. If I do try them, I'll let you know what I think.

Bob

Similar Products Used:

Harmon Kardon HK6600

Bass abilities, understated looks

no built in phono stage

What an excellent piece of kit. I've used it constantly for the 4 months I've had it and it can handle any type of music you throw at it. And as i managed to get hold of mine for £225, I can't think of anything in it's price range that could even come close.

Amazingly clear sound quality, very powerful (for my taste, anyway)

Just a minor point - the remote control is quite useless - but this is not why one would want to own this amp, anyway!

Beautiful, clear, natural sound with a nice bass - I have it coupled with a pair of Sonus Faber Concerto speakers and a Yamaha CD575 player. I mostly listen to classical music and jazz, so this combination is ideal - the system sounds like the orchestra/band is right in the room, and you can hear every single instrument. Madonna sounds beautiful, as well.

I tried the same combination with two Rotel amps (35 Wt and 100 WT/Channel) - both sounded very good, producing a clear and crisp sound, but with the C340, my music suddenly found another dimension - more warmth, depth, and detail, perhaps.

At home, I turn the volume up to the 2nd notch from the minimum on the volume control - and it is plenty loud - the amazing part is that when the volume is parctically at the minimum, you can still hear the same detail - I guess the speakers are responsible for this more than the amplifier, but the C340 should definitely take part of the credit.

Overall, NAD C340 produces beautiful sound - amazing quality for the price.

Similar Products Used:

two Rotel models - 35 and 100 Wt/channel, respectively

Amazingly clear sound quality, very powerful (for my taste, anyway)

Just a minor point - the remote control is quite useless - but this is not why one would want to own this amp, anyway!

Beautiful, clear, natural sound with a nice bass - I have it coupled with a pair of Sonus Faber Concerto speakers and a Yamaha CD575 player. I mostly listen to classical music and jazz, so this combination is ideal - the system sounds like the orchestra/band is right in the room, and you can hear every single instrument. Madonna sounds beautiful, as well.

I tried the same combination with two Rotel amps (35 Wt and 100 WT/Channel) - both sounded very good, producing a clear and crisp sound, but with the C340, my music suddenly found another dimension - more warmth, depth, and detail, perhaps.

At home, I turn the volume up to the 2nd notch from the minimum on the volume control - and it is plenty loud - the amazing part is that when the volume is parctically at the minimum, you can still hear the same detail - I guess the speakers are responsible for this more than the amplifier, but the C340 should definitely take part of the credit.

Overall, NAD C340 produces beautiful sound - amazing quality for the price.

Similar Products Used:

two Rotel models - 35 and 100 Wt/channel, respectively

Amazingly clear sound quality, very powerful (for my taste, anyway)

Just a minor point - the remote control is quite useless - but this is not why one would want to own this amp, anyway!

Beautiful, clear, natural sound with a nice bass - I have it coupled with a pair of Sonus Faber Concerto speakers and a Yamaha CD575 player. I mostly listen to classical music and jazz, so this combination is ideal - the system sounds like the orchestra/band is right in the room, and you can hear every single instrument. Madonna sounds beautiful, as well.

I tried the same combination with two Rotel amps (35 Wt and 100 WT/Channel) - both sounded very good, producing a clear and crisp sound, but with the C340, my music suddenly found another dimension - more warmth, depth, and detail, perhaps.

At home, I turn the volume up to the 2nd notch from the minimum on the volume control - and it is plenty loud - the amazing part is that when the volume is parctically at the minimum, you can still hear the same detail - I guess the speakers are responsible for this more than the amplifier, but the C340 should definitely take part of the credit.

Overall, NAD C340 produces beautiful sound - amazing quality for the price.

Similar Products Used:

two Rotel models - 35 and 100 Wt/channel, respectively

Amazingly clear sound quality, very powerful (for my taste, anyway)

Just a minor point - the remote control is quite useless - but this is not why one would want to own this amp, anyway!

Beautiful, clear, natural sound with a nice bass - I have it coupled with a pair of Sonus Faber Concerto speakers and a Yamaha CD575 player. I mostly listen to classical music and jazz, so this combination is ideal - the system sounds like the orchestra/band is right in the room, and you can hear every single instrument. Madonna sounds beautiful, as well.

I tried the same combination with two Rotel amps (35 Wt and 100 WT/Channel) - both sounded very good, producing a clear and crisp sound, but with the C340, my music suddenly found another dimension - more warmth, depth, and detail, perhaps.

At home, I turn the volume up to the 2nd notch from the minimum on the volume control - and it is plenty loud - the amazing part is that when the volume is parctically at the minimum, you can still hear the same detail - I guess the speakers are responsible for this more than the amplifier, but the C340 should definitely take part of the credit.

Overall, NAD C340 produces beautiful sound - amazing quality for the price.

Similar Products Used:

two Rotel models - 35 and 100 Wt/channel, respectively

Tight, controlled sound. Clarity at all levels of sound

Remote, weak binding posts

After using the C340 for over a year, I figure its had ample time to break in. First and foremost, the sound is clear and involving. This amp won't try to place emphasis on certain frequencies (unlike other audio brands), and, in my opinion, that's the way it should be. The bass is tight and controlled, even when the bass control is cranked all the way. Mid range and high frequencies blend rather well to offer a detailed soundstage,clarity of vocals and instruments. Many little nuances come through your speakers with this amp, including any weaknesses your other components might have. At 50 wpc, this amp plays loud and clear. Because of this amp, I have learned to look past continuous power ratings. Also, the Soft Clipping WORKS. Saved my speakers one night I had a party. I thought the amp was frying, as it was cutting out entire frequecy ranges at a time, but it was merely cutting those frequencies that would have cause my speakers damage.
For all the types of music I listen to, this amp comes through with flying colors on most. If you like techno or rap with synthesized frequenices, this may not fit your style. If you like live performance, great guitar players, or just great rock bands, this amp will perform beyond all your expectations.
Two negs: The remote isn't terrible, and its actually a step up for NAD to even include a remote, but they could spend more time designing it. The binding posts in back don't seem as strong as they should be as well. At this price, nothing is perfect, but the C340 is at the top of its class.

Overall: Tonal quality, spacial resolution, detailed warm sound, all becoming an involving sound product. Keeps my music alive.

My system:
NAD C340
NAD 515 CD changer
Infinity Studio Monitor 115's
Monster Cable Interconnects
Acoustic Research 12ga. wire

tight punch bass, easy to listen treble, good midrange. Price.

No power on/off with remote. Remote has to aimed at the unit perfectly.

Great amp. Little weak at 50 watts/channel for my taste but it does an amiable job of powering my AR 328PS floor standers. Bass i thought was weak until i loaded up some base heavy material. It's not weak at all, it's just tight and fast. As for the overall sound it sounds boxy with my AR but that's probably cos of the speaker. I shoulda bought JBL S38. I love the sound.

BTW, i got a great deal and great service from http://www.unitedonlineshopping.com/ . They double boxed my NAD C340, and it came way earlier than i expected in perfect condition. For $319 it can't be beat ;-)

I'm looking forward to ordering klipsch KSW-12 from them.

Similar Products Used:

none